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Longing

 - 9 dictionary results

long⋅ing

[lawng-ing, long-]
–noun
1. strong, persistent desire or craving, esp. for something unattainable or distant: filled with longing for home.
2. an instance of this: a sudden longing to see old friends.
–adjective
3. having or characterized by persistent or earnest desire: a longing look.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE langung; see long 2 , -ing 1


long⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
long⋅ing⋅ness, noun


1. aspiration. See desire. 3. desirous, yearning.


1. apathy.

long

2[lawng, long]
–verb (used without object)
to have an earnest or strong desire or craving; yearn: to long for spring; to long to return home.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME longen, OE langian grow longer, yearn after, summon; see long 1


See yearn.

long

3[lawng, long]
–verb (used without object)
1. Archaic. to be suitable or fitting.
2. Obsolete. to be the possession; belong.

Origin:
1150–1200; ME longen to be suitable or proper, belong, deriv. of long on account (of), attributable (to), dependent (on), OE gelang belonging (to), dependent (on); see along
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To Longing
long 2   (lông, lŏng)   
intr.v.   longed, long·ing, longs
To have an earnest, heartfelt desire, especially for something beyond reach.

[Middle English longen, from Old English langian; see del-1 in Indo-European roots.]
long·ing   (lông'ĭng, lŏng'-)   
n.  A strong persistent yearning or desire, especially one that cannot be fulfilled.
long'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

long  (v.)
O.E. langian "to yearn, to seem long," lit. "to grow long," from P.Gmc. *langojanan (see long (adj.)). Related to O.N. langa, M.Du. langhen, O.H.G. langen, Ger. verlangen "to desire."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Financial Dictionary

long

See long position.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: long
Function: adjective
: owning or accumulating securities, goods, or commodities esp. in anticipation of a rise in prices long on wheat> —compare SHORT
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Long (lông), Crawford Williamson. 1815-1878.

American surgeon and pioneer anesthetist who was among the first (1842) to use ether as an anesthetic.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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